Reading 1
Rv 21:9b-14
The angel spoke to me, saying,
“Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Gospel
Jn 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Meditation: Revelation 21:9-14
St. Bartholomew
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:14)
Today, we celebrate St. Bartholomew, one of the great “twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14). And while this is a day to remember one of the early heroes of the church, we should also look at it as a day to celebrate our own role in the body of Christ. After all, we too have been incorporated into that building that stands on the firm foundation of the apostles.
So just what is this foundation? Jesus’ words to Nathanael—the straight-talking disciple in today’s Gospel who tradition tells us was also called Bartholomew—can give us some insight. “You will see the sky opened,” he promised, “and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). The foundation was divine revelation.
Ordinary tradesmen and lower-ranking public servants, the disciples weren’t necessarily the most talented men in Galilee. But Jesus didn’t call them because of their social status. Rather, he saw the “raw materials” of their personalities and chose to shape them through his teachings, his miracles, and the work of his Spirit in their hearts. This is what made them into witnesses for Christ and strong foundations for the church.
What about us? We aren’t necessarily the holiest, the smartest, or the most remarkable people. But we do have the Holy Spirit living in us, revealing Jesus to us! The heavens can open to us each day as we pray, read God’s word, or receive Jesus in the Eucharist. This is what roots us in the heavenly Jerusalem. This is what makes it possible for us to live as part of the bride of Christ! We are not worthy because of our attributes. No, it is God’s work in us, making us his workmanship, an essential part of his body!
As you remember St. Bartholomew, think about the splendor of the heavenly Jerusalem. And give thanks that God has invited you—and everyone—to be with him. He really does want you to imagine yourself rejoicing with him in heaven. You really can be a saint!
“Jesus, make me like your apostles! Open my eyes to your glory and transform me today.”
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